“You obviously want to play so, if I am not able to keep wicket, then I’d like to think I would play as a specialist batsman.

“But at the same time, I am desperate to try and keep my place as the keeper.”

With Jos Buttler, who made a maiden Test hundred at Trent Bridge, now back and established in the team, Trevor Bayliss had suggested Bairstow could play as a batsman only in the longer term for the good of the team.

But the Yorkshireman questioned the idea that ditching the gloves would help his batting performances.

“If you look, my stats are better when I am keeping wicket as well, so you are entering uncharted territories when you make bold statements like that.

“I am very keen to keep my spot as keeper, because I like to think it has gone well over the last 38, 39 Test matches.”

Bairstow’s fitness for the fourth Test could put an end to James Vince’s hopes of a return to the side following his recall as batting cover for the match – unless England were to shuffle the balance of their team or drop two-Test 20-year-old Ollie Pope.